Bra wing with integrated gripping technology

ABSTRACT

Difficulties with designing strapless bras include ensuring that they are comfortable, breathable, and that they do not slide down on the wearer&#39;s body. Many strapless bra designs use elastic bands or high friction polymer coatings to keep the bra in place. These additions can be uncomfortable and add weight to the bras. The bra wings disclosed herein have exposed elastic threads that grip the wearer&#39;s body to resist sliding. They are comfortable and light-weight, with free-cut edges that ensure a smooth look on the wearer&#39;s body. Single-layer construction and lack of high-friction coatings or elastics ensure breathability. Methods of making the bra with integrated gripping technology are also disclosed herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application62/492,704, filed May 1, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Strapless bras are designed to be worn under many different types ofclothing. Wearers often find it desirable to keep their bras completelycovered by clothing. However, many tops and dresses are not designed tocover bra straps. Strapless bras are therefore desired, so that a personcan wear a support garment under any clothing without worrying aboutstraps showing. Designing strapless bras can be difficult, because theyoften slide down or are uncomfortable for wearers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a strapless bra wing designed for improved fit,on-body appearance, and comfort that stays in place without excesspressure or tightness. The bra wings are formed of a knit fabric withfree-cut superior and inferior edges. The bra wings have at least aregion where elastic threads are exposed to the interior surface toincrease friction against the wearer's body and prevent sliding. The brawings do not have the bonding, seams, or polymer strips along thesuperior and inferior edges that are conventionally used to keep astrapless bra in place. This lack of bonding/adhesives, seams, andpolymer strips keeps the bra wing light in weight. The single-layerconstruction of the bra wing further reduces the weight of the bra,limiting the extent that it slides downward due to gravity. Many peopleexperience skin irritation from polymer strips because they blockairflow, causing the skin to break down and blister. The construction ofthe bra wing disclosed herein promotes breathability, reducing the skinirritation caused by polymer strips. Finally, the lack of bonding,seams, and polymer strips allow the bra wing to lay flat against thewearer, improving the on-body appearance of the bra by minimizing bulgesand bumps.

The bra includes a bra wing having an exterior surface and an interiorsurface. The bra wing has a free-cut superior, a free-cut inferior edge,and a region with exposed elastic threads. The region can be, forexample a vertical segment where the exposed elastic threads stretchfrom the superior edge to the inferior edge of the bra wing. The entireregion with exposed elastic threads has no coatings with a highercoefficient of friction than the interior surface. In some embodiments,the region with exposed elastic threads is devoid of horizontallyextending seams. In some embodiments, the region with exposed elasticthreads is devoid of horizontally extending adhesives. In an embodiment,the region with exposed elastic threads is the entire interior surfaceof the bra wing.

In an embodiment, the bra wing includes a blend of nylon and elastane.The bra wing can also include other fiber types. In an embodiment, thebra has from 60% to 95% elastane and from 5% and 40% nylon. For example,in some embodiments, the bra wing has 84% elastane and 16% nylon. In anembodiment, the bra wing is made from a knit fabric, such as, forexample, a circular knit fabric. In an embodiment, the bra wing is madefrom a spacer fabric having an outer component, an inner component, anda spacer component. The outer component may include a blend of nylon andelastane. The inner component can be 100% elastane. The spacer componentmay also contain elastane. In an embodiment, the bra wing has anelongation of from 85% to 180% at 100 N load in the length direction,the width direction, or both directions. In an embodiment, the bra wingexerts a tension force of from 5 N to 10 N at 30% elongation, from 15 Nto 60 N at 50% elongation, and from 25 N to 80 N at 70% elongation inthe length direction, the width direction, or both directions.

In an embodiment, the bra has a strapless configuration. The bra mayalso have at least one connector for a detachable strap. In anembodiment, the bra wing is formed from a single layer of fabric. Thesingle layer of fabric may be a spacer fabric. In an embodiment, thesingle layer of fabric includes elastic threads knit into the fabric.

Also disclosed herein are methods of making a bra. The disclosed methodincludes steps of knitting elastic threads into a fabric such that theelastic threads are exposed on at least a region of a surface of thefabric and cutting at least one bra wing from the fabric. The at leastone bra wing is attached to a breast support portion, such that theelastic threads are exposed on a region of the interior surface of thebra wing. The method can further include cutting the bra wing to includeat least one vertical segment where exposed elastic threads stretch froma superior edge to an inferior edge of the bra wing. In an embodiment,the bra wing is cut from the fabric such that the exposed elasticthreads are on the entire interior surface of the bra wing.

In an embodiment, knitting the elastic threads into the fabric of thebra wing includes circular-knitting the threads into the fabric. In anembodiment, knitting the elastic threads into the fabric includesknitting an inner component, an outer component, and a spacer componentto form a spacer fabric. In an embodiment, the method of making the braincludes cutting a left wing and a right wing from the fabric, andattaching the left wing and the right wing to the breast supportportion. In an embodiment, attaching the bra wing to the breast supportportion includes attaching the bra wing to at least one cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an interior view of the bra.

FIG. 2 is a view of the bra wing on a wearer's body.

FIG. 3 is a view of a prior art bra wing on a wearer's body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a spacer fabric used in oneembodiment of the bra wing.

FIG. 5 is an interior view of the fabric shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of an exemplary testing apparatus.

FIG. 7A shows gripping force data for fabric with unexposed elasticthreads.

FIG. 7B shows gripping force data for fabric with exposed elasticthreads.

FIG. 8A shows a loop diagram of one embodiment of the construction of afabric with integrated gripping technology.

FIG. 8B shows the lapping diagram of the embodiment of constructionshown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A shows a loop diagram of another embodiment of the constructionof a fabric with integrated gripping technology.

FIG. 9B shows the lapping diagram of the embodiment of constructionshown in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Strapless bras are designed to be worn under tops or dresses with manydifferent styles and configurations. One difficulty with designingstrapless bras is ensuring that the bra does not slide down on thewearer's body. Many current strapless bra designs use elastic bandsaround the upper and lower edges of the bra, making the bra tight toresist sliding down. This tightness can create discomfort in wearers,and can lead to undesirable bumps or bulging. Many strapless bras alsohave multiple layers of fabric at seams or bonded edges on the wings ofthe bra. Elastic bands and additional layers of fabric add weight tobras, which makes the bras less comfortable and more likely to slidedown. Some bras also have high friction coatings, including polymerstrips or beads (such as a strip of silicone), on the interior surfaceof the bra wing to provide friction and keep the bra up. These coatingsare not air permeable, add weight to the bra, and can cause skinirritation and sweating.

Disclosed herein is a bra wing with gripping technology integrated intothe fabric. A bra wing is the part of the bra that generally extendsaround the sides and back of the wearer's body, and may also be referredto as the sides or back of the bra. The bra wing is often attached tocups or a similar breast support portion at the front of the bra. Thebra wing disclosed herein is comfortable and light-weight. It resistssliding down on the wearer's body while maintaining sufficiently highelongation and recovery properties to ensure it stays in place. It ismade from a free-cut, single-layer construction, without seams oradhesives (bonding) at the upper and lower edges of the bra wing. Thebra wing is air permeable, because it is made from a single-layerconstruction and does not use silicone or other coatings to providefriction. The improved bra wing stays in place without excessivetightness, which also provides a smooth appearance on the wearer's body.

Use of the term “bra” is not intended to limit the construction of thedisclosed garment and bra wing to any particular type of upper body orbreast-supporting garment. The term “bra” as used herein refersgenerally to garments that provide cover or support to the breast areaof the wearer. While many bras are constructed from cups and bra wingsattached thereto, the garment disclosed here is not limited to thisconstruction. The disclosed bra wing can be used on upper body garmentswith or without defined cups. The disclosed bra wing is also not limitedto a strapless bra configuration. The disclosed bra wing providesbenefits that overcome problems with strapless bras, but the disclosedbra wing also provides benefits to bras with detachable, permanent, oradjustable straps. Further, many strapless bras are convertible, withstraps that can be adjusted or detached, to allow multiple differentconfigurations and therefore greater flexibility of use for the wearer.

As noted above, the region (or regions) of the bra wing with exposedelastic threads do not include horizontally extending seams orhorizontally extending adhesives (such as, for example, adhesives usedin bonding processes or adhesives used to attach polymer strips to thebra wing). Certain embodiments of the region(s) with exposed elasticthreads have no seams or adhesives at all (regardless of the directionor orientation). In some embodiments, the region(s) of the bra wing withthe exposed elastic threads are devoid of any coating having a highercoefficient of friction than the interior surface. In some embodiments,the entire interior surface of the bra wing is devoid of horizontallyextending seams or horizontally extending adhesives. In someembodiments, the entire interior surface of the bra wing has no seams oradhesives at all (regardless of direction or orientation). In someembodiments, the entire interior surface of the bra wing is devoid ofany coating having a higher coefficient of friction than the interiorsurface itself.

FIG. 1 illustrates an interior view of an embodiment of the bra 10. Thebra 10 comprises a bra wing 12 having an exterior surface 20 and aninterior surface 22. The bra wing 12 its formed of a knit fabric, and ithas a free-cut superior edge 16 and a free-cut inferior edge 18. Theinterior surface 22 of the bra wing 12 has a region 28 where elasticthreads are exposed to the interior surface 22. The fabric is knit suchthat the elastic threads are exposed to one side of the fabric. This isin contrast to conventional knitting methods, where elastic threads arehidden within the knitting construction of the fabric and not exposed tothe exterior. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the region 28 is avertical segment where exposed elastic threads 24 stretch from thesuperior edge 16 to the inferior edge 18. In an embodiment, the exposedelastic threads 24 stretch the entire interior surface 22 of the brawing 12. As used herein, an elastic thread comprises an elastomer (forexample, a polyurethane elastomer). For example, the elastic threads maycomprise elastane, spandex, or Lycra®. The exposure of the elasticthreads increases the coefficient of friction of the interior surface22, which, in turn, reduces sliding of the interior surface 22 againstthe wearer's skin.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the bra wing 12 on a wearer. The brawing 12 is positioned on the user's body generally around the ribcagearea on the wearer's sides and back. The bra is positioned such that thesuperior edge 16 is above the inferior edge 18, closer to the wearer'sshoulders. The bra wing 12 disclosed herein is designed to lay flatagainst the wearer's body as shown in FIG. 2, without creating bulges orbumps. FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art bra having elastic at its superiorand inferior edges. The prior art bra fits tightly on the wearer's body,which results in bumps or bulges at the superior and inferior edges.

The embodiment of the bra 10 in FIG. 1 has two wings: a left wing 30 anda right wing 32. The left and right wing 30 and 32 may be connected inthe back by a clasp 26. The clasp can be a hook-and-eye connector, orany other bra connector known in the art. FIG. 1 illustrates oneembodiment of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention.In another embodiment, the bra wing is one piece that extends around theback of the wearer.

FIG. 1 illustrates a bra having two cups 14. The cups provide supportand coverage for the breasts of the wearer. The bra can have paddedcups, unlined cups, a bandeau section, or any other configuration forbreast support or coverage known in the art. The bra wings 12 areattached to the breast support portion. FIG. 1 illustrates that the brawings 12 are attached to the sides of the cups 14. The bra wings can beattached to the breast support portion with a seam, with bonding, or canbe formed continuously with fabric in the breast support portion.

The embodiment of the bra shown in FIG. 1 has a strapless configuration.The strapless bra configuration shown includes a breast support portionand bra wings, and does not include straps. The bra of the presentinvention can include connectors for detachable straps.

The superior edge 16 and the inferior edge 18 of the bra wing arefree-cut. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the vertical segment 28with exposed elastic threads has no seams or adhesives (bonding) alongthe superior and inferior edges 16, 18. Therefore, there are nooverlapping layers of fabric and no added bulk along the interiorsurface 22 against the wearer's body.

The fabric of the bra wing 12 can be a blend of elastic and non-elasticthreads. As used herein, an elastic thread comprises an elastomer (forexample, a polyurethane elastomer). For example, the elastic threads maycomprise elastane, spandex, or Lycra®. The non-elastic threads can beformed of, for example, nylon, polyester, wool, acrylic, polypropylene,and/or regenerative fiber such as rayon, acetate, and/or cellulosicfiber like cotton, or a combination of any of the above. In someembodiments, the fabric 42 is from about 60% to about 95% elastane andfrom about 5% to about 40% nylon. In some embodiments, the fabric 42 isfrom about 79% to about 89% elastane and from about 11% to about 21%nylon. For example, the bra wing may be 84% elastane and 16% nylon. Insome embodiments, the fabric 42 is 100% elastane threads.

The exposed elastic threads 24 are knit into the fabric of the bra wingsuch that they are exposed on the interior surface 22 of the bra wing12, providing grip on the wearer's body. The knitting technique used toform the bra wing can be circular knit, double knit, or warp knitfabric. The fabric is knit such that the elastic threads are exposed toone side of the fabric. This is in contrast to conventional knittingmethods, where elastic threads are hidden within the knittingconstruction of the fabric and not exposed to the exterior. The elasticthreads 24 can be exposed along the entire interior surface 22 of thebra, on a vertical segment of the interior surface 22, or on a region ofany shape or size. In some embodiments, the region having exposedelastic threads is devoid of seams and bonding. In some embodiments, theregion having exposed elastic threads is devoid of elastic, additionallayers of fabric, or any coatings having a higher coefficient offriction than the interior surface 22. For example, the interior surface22 of the entire vertical segment 28 shown in FIG. 1 is devoid of seams,bonding, elastics, additional fabric, and high-friction coatings.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section of an embodiment of a knitted spacerfabric that can be used to make the bra wing 12. Using spacer fabric 34eliminates the need to laminate or bond multiple layers together. In anembodiment, the spacer component 40 is thin, providing minimal spacebetween the inner and outer components 36, 38. A thin spacer fabric 34helps create a smooth line on the wearer's body, and allows for a flatlook underneath clothing without any bumps or bulges.

The spacer fabric 34 has an inner component 36, an outer component 38,and a spacer component 40. The exposed elastic threads 24 are knit intothe fabric of the inner component 36 such that they are exposed on theinterior surface 22 of the bra wing 12. In some embodiments, 100% of thethreads of inner component 36 are elastane threads. In anotherembodiment, the inner component 36 is a blend of elastane andnon-elastic threads, as described above. FIG. 5 shows an examplecircular, double-knit construction of the inner component 36, showingexposed elastic threads 24.

The outer component 38 is on the exterior surface 20 of the bra wing 12.The outer component includes non-elastic threads 44. The non-elasticthreads can be formed of, for example, nylon, polyester, wool, acrylic,polypropylene, and/or regenerative fiber such as rayon, acetate, and/orcellulosic fiber like cotton, or a combination of any of the above. Inan embodiment, the outer component 38 is a blend of elastane and otherfibers. In an embodiment, the outer component 38 is a blend of elastaneand nylon. In an embodiment, the outer component 38 is 100% elastane. Inan embodiment, the inner component 36 of the spacer fabric contains ahigher percentage of elastane than the outer component 38.

The spacer component 40 is between the inner component 36 and outercomponent 38, as shown in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the spacer component40 is 100% elastane. In another embodiment, the spacer component 40 is ablend of elastane and other fibers.

The fabric used for the bra wing has high elongation and recoveryvalues. This provides maximum comfort and allows the bra to stay up,without being too tight on the wearer and without the need for heavyelastics which can weigh down a bra. Values for the elongation, tensionforce, and recovery can be determined using ASTM D4964-96 (2016),Standard Test Method for Tension and Elongation of Elastic Fabrics(Constant-Rate-of-Extension Type Tensile Testing Machine). The specimentested is a looped piece of fabric approximately 3 inches wide and 5inches in length (from the first end of the loop to the second end ofthe loop). The machine speed is 500 mm/min. To test the specimens, thefollowing procedure is used: (1) the specimen in loop form is placedaround the clamps of the testing machine, which then undergoes alongitudinal pull; (2) cycle three times from zero to 100 N load; (3)record values from the third extension-load curve. The percentelongation is measured at 100 Newtons (N) load. The tension force ismeasured at 30%, 50%, and 70% elongation. The % fabric recovery ismeasured by dividing the original length by the length after threeextension cycles, after the specimen is removed from the testing machineand relaxed for 60 seconds. In an embodiment, the fabric has anelongation in the length direction of from about 85% to about 180% at100 N load. In an embodiment, the fabric exerts a tension force in thelength direction of from about 5 N to about 40 N at 30% elongation, fromabout 15 N to about 60 N at 50% elongation, and from about 25 N to about80 N at 70% elongation. In an embodiment, the fabric has an elongationin the width direction of from about 85% to about 180% at 100 N load. Inan embodiment, the fabric exerts a tension force in the width directionof from about 5 N to about 40 N at 30% elongation, of from about 15 N toabout 60 N at 50% elongation, and from about 25 N to about 80 N at 70%elongation. In an embodiment, the fabric has a recovery of from about85% to about 100%. In an embodiment, the weight of the fabric is between300 g/m² and 500 g/m².

Exposure of elastic threads to a surface increases the gripping force ofan elastic fabric (i.e., the force needed to move a fabric along asurface) as compared to the same elastic fabric with unexposed elasticthreads. In some embodiments, the gripping force might increase by afactor of anywhere from about 20% to about 170% when previouslyunexposed elastic threads are exposed to the surface of the fabric(including about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about70%, about 80%, about 90%, about 100%, about 110%, about 120%, about130%, about 140%, about 150%, about 160%, and about 170%). For example,the gripping force of a fabric with exposed elastic threads might befrom 100% to 140% greater than the gripping force of the same fabricwith unexposed elastic threads.

Stretching an elastic fabric with exposed elastic threads can increasethe gripping force. In some embodiments, when stretched by 30% of thelength of the fabric, the gripping force of a fabric having exposedelastic threads might increase by a factor of anywhere from about 140%to about 340% (including, about 140%, about 160%, about 180%, about200%, about 220%, about 240%, about 260%, about 280%, about 300%, about320%, and about 340%. In some embodiments, when stretched by 30% of thelength of the fabric, the gripping force of a fabric having exposedelastic threads might increase by a factor of 200% to 260%. As such,when the bra wings disclosed herein are stretched across a wearer'storso, the gripping force preventing movement of the bra wing may begreater than any gripping force measured when the bra wing is in anunstretched state.

When comparing a stretched fabric with exposed elastic threads versusunexposed elastic threads, the gripping force is also increased. Forexample, the gripping force of an elastic fabric having exposed elasticthreads and stretched by 30% can be greater than the gripping force ofan 30% stretched elastic fabric having unexposed elastic threads by afactor of from about 20% to about 80%, including, for example about 20%,about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70% and about 80%.

A schematic of a device that can be used to measure gripping force isshown in FIG. 6. A nitrile sleeve 46 is pulled over a cylinder 48 havinga known circumference and secured near the top 49 of the cylinder 48. Anelongated fabric tube 50 is pulled over the sleeve 46 and the cylinder48. The bottom end 52 of the elongated fabric tube 46 hangs off thebottom edge 53 of the sleeve-covered cylinder 48. A clamp 54 attachesthe bottom end 52 of the fabric tube 48 to a movable cross head 56. Thecylinder 48 and nitrile sleeve 46 are held in place during testing,while the movable cross head 56 is slowly advanced away from thecylinder 48, pulling the fabric tube 46 as it travels. The movable crosshead 56 moves in the direction shown by the black arrow in FIG. 6. MTStensile testing can be used for data acquisition. This MTS is equippedwith 1000 N load cell and programmed in tensile mode to move thecross-head at 50 mm/min and capture the resistance force offered byfabrics as they move against the nitrile sleeve. To vary the level ofstretch, elongated fabric tubes of varying circumferences can beconstructed (such that a smaller circumference tube is stretched to agreater extent than a larger circumference tube when positioned on thecylinder 48)

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the results of testing of the gripping force offabric with exposed versus unexposed elastic threads (with and without a30% stretch). FIG. 7A particularly shows the data generated usingelastic fabric with unexposed elastic threads. FIG. 7B shows the datagenerated using an elastic fabric having nearly the same specificationsand material content—the only difference being that the elastic threadsare exposed to the surface of the fabric. Black arrows indicate thepoint during testing at which the fabric began to slide against the headof the testing machine. The gripping force for the unstretched elasticfabric with unexposed elastic threads was about 500 grams of force. Thegripping force for the elastic fabric with unexposed elastic threadsstretched by 30% was about 2600 grams of force (gf) (about a 420%increase over the unexposed, unstretched fabric). The gripping force forthe unstretched elastic fabric with exposed elastic threads was about1100 grams of force (about a 120% increase over the unexposed,unstretched fabric). Finally, the gripping force for the elastic fabricwith exposed elastic threads stretched by 30% was about 3600 grams offorce (about a 40% increase over the unexposed, stretched fabric andabout a 230% increase over the exposed, unstretched fabric). Typically,the force required to move an object along a surface decreases once theobject is in motion because the counteracting force of inertia has beenovercome. This is seen as peaks in the force required to move the crosshead for both unexposed group (for 0% and 30% stretch) and for theexposed group at 0% stretch. The peaks occur when the fabric begins toslide. However, the exposed group at 30% stretch continues to require asubstantial amount of force even after sliding begins at 3600 grams offorce (gf), due to the high friction of the stretched fabric.

Sample fabric tubes used to generate the data shown in FIGS. 7A and 7Bcan be constructed per the dimensions in Table 1 for correspondingfabric stretch. For example, the 0% stretch fabric tube can beconstructed as follows: 1) cut fabric of length 10 cm, and width of atleast 12 cm, 2) measure 9.5 cm in width direction and draw lines at eachend, and 3) fold the fabric and match lines measuring 9.5 cm and stitchalong this line form a fabric loop, with loop length of 9.5 cm andlength of 10 cm. As described above, the sample holding device is astainless steel cylinder with a circumference of 9.5 cm and height(length) of 5 cm. This cylinder was covered with a nitrile sleeve andclamped at the top, providing an effective height of 4.2 cm. Thecylinder/sleeve set-up is fixed to immovable jaw on the MTS tensiletesting machine, so that a tube of fabric from above table can be put onto the cylinder with nitrile sleeve. The fabric tube is mounted all theway to the clamp (but not clamped) and the bottom of fabric sleeve isclamped in the movable cross-head of MTS.

TABLE 1 Effective - % Flap width Total Sample Pre-stretch width (cm)width (cm) width, cm Length (cm) P0 (0%) 9.5 2.5 12 10 P30 (30%) 6.652.85 5.35 12 10

In an embodiment, the bra can include gripping polymer tape on oradjacent to the breast support regions. This tape adds additional gripto the front area of the bra to provide additional friction with thebody, which helps keep the bra up in regions that do not have exposedelastic threads. In an embodiment, the bra wings provide grip to thesides of the body, and the polymer tape provides grip to the front ofthe body. In an embodiment, the polymer tape is attached to the breastsupport portion of the bra. In an embodiment, the polymer tape isattached to the cups of the bra. In an embodiment, the polymer tape isattached to the area around the cups. For example, the polymer tape canbe attached to the bra between the cups, near the underwire, or in morethan one location. In an embodiment, the polymer tape includespolyurethane. In an embodiment, the polymer tape is bonded to the brawith heat.

Alternative constructions of the fabric with exposed elastic threads areshown in FIGS. 8-9. FIGS. 8A and 8 B show the construction of anembodiment of a fabric that is made using a warp knitting machine. FIG.8A is a loop diagram of an embodiment of the fabric of the garment. FIG.8B is a lapping diagram of the embodiment of the fabric shown in FIG.8A. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the construction of an alternate embodiment ofa fabric made using a warp knitting machine. FIG. 9A is a loop diagramof an alternate embodiment of the fabric of the garment. FIG. 9B is alapping diagram of the embodiment of the fabric shown in FIG. 9A.

Two types of fibers are used to produce the fabric shown in FIGS. 8 and9. The left-pointing arrowheads in FIG. 8A and in FIG. 9A point to andcontact elastic threads. In the lapping diagrams of FIGS. 8B and 9 B,the left hand thread marked I is the non-elastic thread, and the righthand thread marked II is the elastic thread. As mentioned above, theelastic threads include an elastomer, for example, a polyurethaneelastomer such as elastane, spandex, or Lycra®. The linear density ofthe elastic threads is at least 80 denier. In some embodiments, thelinear density can be anywhere from 80 denier to 280 denier. Forexample, the elastic threads can be 80 denier, 100 denier, 120 denier,140 denier, 160 denier, 180 denier, 200 denier, 220 denier, 240 denier,260 denier, or 280 denier. This relatively high linear density ofelastic threads results in a comfortable bra wing that stays in placewithout being too tight due to the high degree of elongation, tensionforce, and recovery of the fabric (described above).

The content of the elastomer in the fabric can be, for example fromabout 40% to about 50%. In some embodiments, the content of theelastomer in the fabric is about 45%. The right-pointing . arrowheads inFIGS. 8A and 9A point to and contact non-elastic threads. Thenon-elastic threads can be formed of a variety of materials, including,but not limited to: nylon, polyester, wool, acrylic, and/or regenerativefiber such as rayon, acetate, and/or cellulosic fiber like cotton, or acombination of any of the above.

Methods of making a bra 10 include knitting elastic threads 24 into afabric such at the elastic threads 24 are exposed on a surface of thefabric. A bra wing 12 is then cut from the fabric, and the bra wing 12is attached to a breast support portion such that the exposed elasticthreads 24 are positioned on the interior surface 22 of the bra wing 12.The superior edge 16 and the inferior 18 of the bra wing 12 arefree-cut, meaning they are devoid of seams, adhesives, or bonding. In anembodiment, the bra wing 12 is cut from the fabric such that the brawing 12 has at least one vertical segment 28 where exposed elasticthreads 24 stretch from the superior edge 16 to the inferior edge 18. Inan embodiment, the bra wing 12 is cut from the fabric such that theexposed elastic threads 24 stretch the entire interior surface 22 of thebra wing 12.

In an embodiment, knitting the elastic threads into the fabric comprisesdouble-knitting the elastic threads into the fabric. In an embodiment,knitting the elastic threads into the fabric comprises knitting an innercomponent 36, an outer component 38, and a spacer component 40. Thiscreates a spacer fabric 34, and the bra wing 12 is then cut from thespacer fabric 34.

In an embodiment, attaching the bra wing 12 to a breast support portioncomprises attaching the bra wing 12 to at least one cup 14. In anembodiment, cutting the bra wing 12 from the fabric comprises cutting aleft wing 30 and a right wing 32. The method further comprises attachingthe left wing 30 and right wing 32 to the breast support portion. In anembodiment, the bra wing is attached to the breast support portion bysewing. In an embodiment, the bra wing is attached to the breast supportportion by bonding. In an embodiment, the bra wing is attached to thebreast support by ultrasonic seaming.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theimplementation was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious implementations with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bra comprising: a bra wing having an exteriorsurface and an interior surface, the interior surface comprising aregion with exposed elastic threads configured to directly contact thebody of a wearer; and wherein the bra wing has a free-cut superior andinferior edge.
 2. The bra of claim 1, wherein the region is a verticalsegment stretching from the superior edge to the inferior edge of thebra wing.
 3. The bra of claim 1, wherein the region with exposed elasticthreads is the entire interior surface of the bra wing.
 4. The bra ofclaim 1, wherein the region with exposed elastic threads is devoid ofhorizontally extending seams.
 5. The bra of claim 1, wherein the regionwith exposed elastic threads is devoid of horizontally extendingadhesives.
 6. The bra of claim 1, wherein the region with exposedelastic threads is devoid of any coatings having a higher coefficient offriction than the interior surface.
 7. The bra of claim 1, wherein thebra wing comprises a blend of nylon and elastane.
 8. The bra of claim 1,wherein the bra wing comprises from 60% to 95% elastane and from 5% to40% nylon.
 9. The bra of claim 1, wherein the bra wing comprises a knitfabric.
 10. The bra of claim 9, wherein the bra wing comprises acircular knit fabric.
 11. The bra of claim 1, wherein the bra wingcomprises spacer fabric having an outer component, an inner component,and a spacer component.
 12. The bra of claim 11, wherein the outercomponent comprises a blend of nylon and elastane.
 13. The bra of claim11, wherein the inner component comprises 100% elastane.
 14. The bra ofclaim 11, wherein the spacer component comprises elastane.
 15. The braof claim 1, wherein the linear density of the exposed elastic threads isat least 80 denier.
 16. The bra of claim 15, wherein the linear densityof the exposed elastic threads is from 80 denier to 280 denier.
 17. Thebra of claim 1, wherein the bra wing has a tension force of from 5 N to40 N at 30% elongation, from 15 N to 60 N at 50% elongation, and from 25N to 80 N at 70% elongation in the length direction.
 18. The bra ofclaim 1, wherein the bra wing has a tension force of 5 N to 40 N at 30%elongation, from 15 N to 60 N at 50% elongation, and from 25 N to 80 Nat 70% elongation in the width direction.
 19. The bra of claim 1,wherein the bra has a strapless configuration.
 20. The bra of claim 19,wherein the bra has at least one connector for a detachable strap. 21.The bra of claim 1, wherein the bra wing is formed from a single layerof fabric.
 22. The bra of claim 21, wherein the single layer of fabricis spacer fabric.
 23. The bra of claim 21, wherein the exposed elasticthreads are knit into the single layer of fabric.
 24. The bra of claim1, wherein the bra wing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% in thewidth direction at 100 N load.
 25. The bra of claim 1, wherein the brawing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% in the length direction at100 N load.
 26. A method of making a bra, the method comprising:knitting elastic threads into a fabric such that the elastic threads areexposed on a region of a surface of the fabric; cutting at least one brawing from the fabric; attaching at least one bra wing to a breastsupport portion such that the elastic threads are exposed on a region ofan interior surface of the bra wing; and leaving superior and inferioredges of the bra wing in a free-cut state.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein cutting the bra wing from the fabric comprises cutting the brawing such that the exposed elastic threads stretch from a superior edgeto an inferior edge of the bra wing on at least one vertical segment.28. The method of claim 26, wherein cutting the bra wing from the fabriccomprises cutting the bra wing such that the exposed elastic threadsstretch the entire interior surface of the bra wing.
 29. The method ofclaim 26, wherein knitting elastic threads into a fabric comprisescircular-knitting the elastic threads into the fabric.
 30. The method ofclaim 26, wherein knitting elastic threads into a fabric comprisesknitting an inner component, an outer component, and a spacer component.31. The method of claim 26, wherein cutting at least one bra wing fromthe fabric comprises cutting a left wing and a right wing, and attachingat least one bra wing to the breast support portion comprises attachingthe left wing and right wing to the breast support portion.
 32. Themethod of claim 26, wherein attaching at least one bra wing to a breastsupport portion comprises attaching the bra wing to at least one cup.33. The method of claim 26, wherein the bra wing has an elongation offrom 85% to 180% in the width direction at 100 N load.
 34. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the bra wing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% inthe length direction at 100 N load.